During the project, the 6 application industries in the main focus of were addressed. The result of these activities has been reflected: 1) in the attendees to the different meetings organized where PULSATE activities were presented; and 2) in the AUC and TTE’s calls, where different challenges and new proposals relevant to these industries have been addressed in several of the projects developed within PULSATE:
- Aerospace: LaserRiblets, AEROGRAM, ADI
- Medical: BEAM, Smoller, TISSUE
- Industrial: LADACOR, BARRELCLAD - Laser Cladding of large twin barrels, Laser Riblets II
- Automotive: ABSORPTION, Injected MLA, WELDSHAPE
- Textile: Loom-State: 3D Woven Garments, LaserTex
- Customized electronics: BEAM, LAB-3D-Mess
- Aerospace: LaserRiblets, AEROGRAM, ADI
Looking in the technological approach, several laser processes like laser cutting, welding or additive manufacturing, more general discussions about (as an example, the possibilities of ultrafast laser processes) or related technologies such laser beam-shaping, optical coatings and new process monitoring solutions have been also addressed in different onsite and online meetings. Some of them where focused in hot markets such as e-mobility, where laser technologies and process monitoring systems are definitely critical to ensure the efficiency of the productions plants and the manufactured parts and components.
The goal in the different activities performed was focused in ensuring the self-sustainability of the project in different ways. First, by increasing the number of companies reached from the whole supply chain (laser source manufacturers, components manufacturers, integrators, software developers, researchers...) in order to create a community which can support the future needs of the different markets related with the adoption of laser based advanced manufacturing processes. Second, by finding companies and end users interested in extending and optimizing the adoption of those manufacturing processes and open the interests in other markets where laser was not traditionally involved. And third, by opening the door to new and interesting application fields and technologies, such as the semiconductor sector and novel and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence.
In these two specific examples, the PULSATE project is aligned with the present priorities of the EU commission in e.g. the support of a European semiconductor industry (through the European Chips Act) and the Horizon Europe Funding Boosts in AI Technologies to support innovation in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered data operations to contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal. All these activities have positive influence towards the environmental impact PULSATE would like to support, together with the general principle that laser application often has the result of reducing energy consumption in comparison to the traditional technologies.
